A LED (light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor device with two electrodes. When an electric current flows through the device in the correct direction, light is emitted. Currently, white LED lighting is playing an increasingly important role in the world of modern building services. Not only can they radically reduce maintenance costs, but they are also able to increase energy efficiency.

The average lifespan of LED light fixtures ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 hours, compared to conventional devices such as halogens (3,000 hours), fluorescents (15,000 hours) and high-pressure sodium lamps (22,000 hours). When LEDs do fail, they simply fade to about 70 percent. This means considerable savings in maintenance cost and zero business disruption for at least five years, particularly in large areas.

Even better, a 90-watt LED luminaire can replace a 150-watt high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp, saving 40 percent on energy. Because they are semiconductor-based, LED luminaires can be switched on and off frequently in low-traffic areas such as cold stores and walkways. Their ability to achieve full brightness in a fraction of a section further makes them very practical for use as safety lights in car parks.

Whatever types of public building services you have in mind – shopping malls, concourses, airport terminals, rail and bus stations, sports arenas, exhibition centres, warehouses, car parks or loading bays – you can rely on white LED technologies to produce bright and high-quality light. When they are finally to be replaced, LEDs are safe and easy to recycle because they contain no mercury or other hazardous materials.